Melissa Etheridge Delivers Soul Deep Stax Tribute On New Album 'Memphis Rock And Soul'

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Melissa Etheridge has announced the release of her new album 'MEmphis Rock and Soul', a tribute to Stax Records and the rich history of classic southern soul, out October 7 via Stax/Concord. The album is a collection of deep soul covers associated with the original Stax label, including songs recorded by Otis Redding, Rufus Thomas, The Staple Singers, William Bell and more. The album also features new, original verses written by Melissa on two of the tracks.

Etheridge showcases her signature rasp and unmistakable guitar prowess on lead single, "Hold On, I'm Coming." The fierce take on a Sam & Dave standard premiered today on Billboard.

While the original Stax studio is long gone, Etheridge took to another hallowed local spot, Willie Mitchell's Royal Studios (home to Al Green, Ann Peebles and others), to channel the classic Memphis sounds found on these soulful standards. 'MEmphis Rock and Soul' was produced by Willie's son Boo Mitchell, and features a backing band comprised of Hodges Brothers and other top Memphis musicians who are legends in their own right. Etheridge even recorded with Al Green's famed RCA 77DX ribbon microphone ("No. 9").'MEmphis Rock and Soul' also spotlights the empowering role Stax played in the Civil Rights Movement, a fitting theme for Melissa, who has become a pivotal voice of the modern LGBT rights movement.

Over the course of her 20+ year career, Melissa has won an Oscar and multiple Grammy awards, survived breast cancer, and has become a powerful voice for the LGBT movement. Most recently, she penned the song "Pulse" paying tribute to those lost in the June 12th Orlando shootings, and all proceeds for the song will benefit Equality Florida.

Melissa Etheridge is in the midst of an extensive US tour with Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo. Full list of dates below.

'MEMPHIS ROCK AND SOUL' TRACK LIST

1. Memphis Train

2. Respect Yourself (People Stand Up)

3. Who's Making Love

4. Hold On, I'm Coming

5. I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)

6. Any Other Way

7. I'm A Lover

8. Rock Me Baby

9. I Forgot To Be Your Lover

10. Wait A Minute

11. Born Under A Bad Sign

12. Dreams To Remember

MELISSA ETHERIDGE 2016 TOUR DATES

8/9 - Interlochen, MI @ Kresge Auditorium *

8/11 - West Allis, WI @ Wisconsin State Fair Park *

8/12 - Springfield, IL @ Grandstand, Ilinois State Fair *

8/14 - Shawnee, OK @ Grand Event Center at Grand Casino Hotel and Resort *

8/15 - Albuquerque, NM @ Sandia Casino Amphitheater *

8/16 - Boulder, CO @ Chautauqua Auditorium *

8/17 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre *

8/19 - Temecula, CA @ Pechanga Resort & Casino *

8/20 - Las Vegas, NV @ Freemont Street Experience

8/21 - Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre *

8/23 - San Diego, CA @ Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre *

8/24 - Saratoga, CA @ Mountain Winery *

8/26 - Kelowna, BC, Canada @ Mission Hill Family Estate Outdoor Amphitheatre

8/27 - Airway Heights, WA @ Northern Quest Casino & Resort *

8/28 - Snoqualmie, WA @ Snoqualmie Casino

8/30 - Salem, OR @ Oregon State Fair & Expo Center

9/1 - Livermore, CA @ Wente Vineyards

9/2 - Coarsegold, CA @ Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino

9/3 - Rohnert Park, CA @ Green Music Center

10/19 - Washington, DC @ Lincoln Theater

10/20 - Glenside, PA @ Keswick Theatre

10/22 - Morristown, NJ @ Mayo Performing Arts Center

10/23 - New York, NY @ Apollo Theater

10/25 - Chicago, IL @ Park West

10/27 - Meridian, MS @ Riley Center for the Performing Arts

10/28 - Memphis, TN @ Minglewood Hall

10/29 - Marksville, LA @ Paragon Casino Resort

10/31 - Key West, FL @ Melissa Etheridge & Friends "Rock The Boat" Cruise 2016 ^

11/28 - West Palm Beach, FL @ Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts - Dreyfoos Hall

12/7 - Shippensburg, PA @ Luhrs Performing Arts Center

12/18 - Manhattan, KS @ McCain Auditorium

* with Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo

^ with Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Delta Rae, Crystal Bowersox, and more...

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